UH System fall 2012 enrollment reaches record high of 60,633

HONOLULU (September 5, 2012) – The fall 2012 opening enrollment for the University of Hawai‘i System reached yet another high in the institution’s history with 60,633 students. It surpasses fall 2011’s record enrollment of 60,519 by 114 students, or 0.2 percent.

UH’s fall opening enrollment has increased for a sixth straight year and has grown by 21 percent since 2006. Much of that growth has been at the University of Hawai‘i—West O‘ahu and the UH Community Colleges.

“We’re excited to see our enrollment continue to grow throughout the University of Hawai‘i System as it shows the value placed in the pursuit of higher education,” said UH Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Linda Johnsrud. “Now that we have these students in the door, we are doing our best to make sure they stay in college and graduate on time. We continue to increase student aid and educate students about the steps they need to take and the resources available to them to ensure they succeed."

Opening the doors to a new campus in Kapolei this semester, UH West O‘ahu welcomed 2,023 students, a gain of 324 students or 19.1 percent over last year.

“After nearly four decades, we’re extremely proud to celebrate this milestone with more than 2,000 students who have the privilege of being the first students at our new campus,” said UH West O‘ahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni. “With this new campus, UH West O‘ahu now has the ability to realize its full potential in addressing the needs of our community and providing educational programs for our students that will prepare them for quality careers.”

Enrollment at UH Mānoa remained about the same compared to a year ago, and UH Hilo’s fall opening enrollment increased slightly. UH Mānoa’s fall opening enrollment stands at 20,320, which is seven students more than the fall 2011 semester. UH Hilo’s fall opening enrollment stands at 4,172 students, a gain of 23 or 0.6 percent over the fall 2011 semester.

Enrollment at the UH Community Colleges decreased slightly with 34,118 enrolled at the seven campuses, a decrease of 240 students or 0.7 percent from last fall.

Three community college campuses reported increases ranging from 1.2 to 5.4 percent. These include Kaua‘i, Leeward and Windward Community College. Of the three campuses, Kaua‘i Community College is experiencing its highest enrollment since 1992 with 1,512 students enrolled this semester.

“What a great day for us this is, and a great one for Kaua‘i too,” said Kaua‘i Community College Chancellor Helen Cox. “We’re delighted with the high enrollment and welcome all of our students, new and old. Building a foundation of educated citizens on Kaua‘i opens all kinds of opportunities for the island.”

The remaining four community college campuses—Hawai‘i, Honolulu, Kapi‘olani and UH Maui College—reported decreases ranging from 0.1 percent to 6.3 percent.